Overview of Kitchen Scale

Aside from helping dieters control portions, kitchen scales can actually improve cooking and baking results. That's because the "dip and sweep" method -- filling a measuring cup, then leveling it off -- that many cooks regularly use can be off by as much as 10 percent, easily affecting the flavor and texture of foods. In contrast, the accurate measurements of a kitchen scale ensure a recipe will turn out the same every time. You can also use a kitchen scale to weigh letters and small packages.

Kitchen scales come in two types: mechanical and digital. Mechanical scales, which contain a delicate internal framework of small springs and pieces, display readings with a needle, but their fragile nature means they can wear out faster. They also measure weight in larger increments than digital scales do, which can make them less accurate. Most reviewers say digital kitchen scales offer more precise readings and are less cumbersome to use. Of course, the electronic nature of digital scales means they may be more prone to malfunction, although most come with at least a two-year warranty.